Drain hose and drain hose connection method

Abstract

A drain hose includes a hose main body into which a drain pipe is inserted and a circumferential rib formed on an outer peripheral surface of the hose main body to be away from an extremity of the hose main body and extend in a circumferential direction of the hose main body. The drain hose includes an axial rib formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hose main body to be positioned closer to the extremity of the hose main body than the circumferential rib and extend in an axial direction of the hose main body.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A drain hose comprising:
 a hose main body into which a drain pipe of an air conditioner is inserted; 
 a circumferential rib formed on an outer peripheral surface of the hose main body to be away from an extremity of the hose main body and extend in a circumferential direction of the hose main body; and 
 a plurality of axial ribs formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hose main body to be positioned between the extremity of the hose main body and the circumferential rib and extend in an axial direction of the hose main body, wherein 
 the plurality of the axial ribs are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hose main body to be spaced in the circumferential direction of the hose main body, 
 an end portion of each of the plurality of the axial ribs on an opposite side from the extremity side of the hose main body continues to the circumferential rib, and 
 a wall thickness of an insertion portion of the hose main body from the extremity to the circumferential rib is smaller than a wall thickness of a regular portion of the hose main body on an opposite side of the circumferential rib from the extremity. 
 
     
     
       2. The drain hose according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the stiffness of the plurality of the axial ribs is higher on the circumferential rib side than on the extremity side of the hose main body. 
 
     
     
       3. The drain hose according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the height of the plurality of the axial ribs is larger on the circumferential rib side than on the extremity side of the hose main body. 
 
     
     
       4. The drain hose according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the length in the circumferential direction of the plurality of the axial ribs is larger on the circumferential rib side than on the extremity side of the hose main body. 
 
     
     
       5. The drain hose according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the circumferential rib and the plurality of the axial ribs are formed integrally with the hose main body. 
 
     
     
       6. A drain hose for connection to a drain pipe of an air conditioner, the drain hose comprising:
 a hose main body having an end configured to accept insertion of the drain pipe of the air conditioner; 
 a circumferential rib formed on an outer peripheral surface of the hose main body at a distance from the end and extending in a circumferential direction around the hose main body; and 
 a plurality of axial ribs formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hose main body,
 wherein the plurality of axial ribs extend in an axial direction of the hose main body from the circumferential rib to the end along the distance; and 
 wherein the plurality of axial ribs are mutually parallel and are spaced circumferentially around the hose main body, 
 
 wherein the hose main body has a first wall thickness between the circumferential rib and the end and a second wall thickness on an opposite side of the circumferential rib, wherein the first wall thickness is smaller than the second wall thickness. 
 
     
     
       7. The drain hose according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of axial ribs have a first stiffness proximate the circumferential rib and a second stiffness proximate the end, wherein the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness. 
     
     
       8. The drain hose according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of axial ribs have a first height proximate the circumferential rib and a second height proximate the end, wherein the first height is greater than the second height. 
     
     
       9. The drain hose according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of axial ribs have a first length in the circumferential direction proximate the circumferential rib and a second length in the circumferential direction proximate the end, wherein the first length is greater than the second length. 
     
     
       10. The drain hose according to  claim 6 , wherein the circumferential rib and the plurality of axial ribs are formed integrally with the hose main body. 
     
     
       11. A method executed by an operator to connect a drain hose to a drain pipe of an air conditioner of a vehicle, the air conditioner being located on a front side of a dash panel in the vehicle travel direction, wherein the drain hose includes:
 a hose main body having an end configured to accept insertion of the drain pipe of the air conditioner; 
 a circumferential rib formed on an outer peripheral surface of the hose main body at a distance from the end and extending in a circumferential direction around the hose main body; and 
 a plurality of axial ribs formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hose main body,
 wherein the plurality of axial ribs extend in an axial direction of the hose main body from the circumferential rib to the end along the distance; and 
 wherein the plurality of axial ribs are mutually parallel and are spaced circumferentially around the hose main body, 
 
 wherein the hose main body has a first wall thickness between the circumferential rib and the end and a second wall thickness on an opposite side of the circumferential rib, wherein the first wall thickness is smaller than the second wall thickness, 
 the air conditioner has an identification mark formed near the drain pipe of the air conditioner, and 
 the method comprises:
 reaching the operator's fingers from a rear side in the vehicle travel direction of the dash panel to the front side in the vehicle travel direction of the dash panel through an opening of the dash panel; 
 inserting the drain pipe into the hose main body with the operator's fingers holding the circumferential rib formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hose main body; and 
 checking with the operator's fingers that the plurality of axial ribs and the identification mark have a positional relationship after correct insertion.